Boks stutter on day one
12 Dec 2009
The Springbok Sevens finished second in Group A to set up a difficult cup quarterfinal against Fiji at the George Sevens.
In what should have been an easy group for the hosts, the Boks and Kenya both finished on eight log points, but the latter topped the group on points difference.
This sees Kenya have an easier cup quarterfinal fixture against Australia, while South Africa will face Fiji, who knocked the Boks out at the same stage in Dubai.
The deciding fixture was the last match of day one, where the Boks drew with Kenya thanks to a last-minute conversion from Mzwandile Stick after the home side came from behind for a 12-all draw. A win would have seen them top the group.
The Boks had more scoring oppportunities but they lacked the composure to finish them off. Kenya then took a 12-point lead through two tries from a quick penalty tap and a kick and chase.
Stick then brought the Boks within reach with a try and Deon Helberg crossed the chalk in the dying moments to set up the draw.
Earlier, the Blitzboks secured a 29-5 win against Zimbabwe in their second match.
At half-time, the Boks found themselves level with their African conuterparts with the score at 5-5.
But a brace from Helberg and tries from Marius Schoeman and Cecil Afrika saw the Boks record their second win.
In their opening group fixture against France, the Boks produced a strong showing inspired by a Afrika hat-trick.
It took less than a minute for the Boks to score the first points of the game as Afrika showed great pace to run through a gap in the French defence to score the first try. Stick added the extras.
Moments later, the home side scored another try, this time through Chase Minaar after working the ball out wide.
The Boks continued to dominate the first half and kept France pinned in their own 22, forcing the errors.
This led to another three tries as Stick grabbed a brace and Afrika had another blistering run down the touchline to give the Boks a 33-0 lead at half-time.
France hit back with two early converted tries in the second stanza, but Afrika sealed a 38-14 win as he completed his hat-trick for the Boks’ only score after the break.
Springbok Sevens day one results:
South Africa 38 France 14
South Africa 29 Zimbabwe 5
South Africa 12 Kenya 12
Springbok Sevens – Paul Delport (c), Mpho Mbiyozo, Chase Minnaar, Frankie Horne, Cecil Afrika, Marius Schoeman, Kyle Brown, JW Jonker, Shaun Venter, Mzwandile Stick, Deon Helberg, MJ Mentz.
For more fixtures and results click here
By Gareth Duncan
111 Comments
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11 Dec 2009, 20:59 pm
Another card for Kenya.
1:11 left.
11 Dec 2009, 21:00 pm
stupid scoring in the corner when we need the conversion just to draw
11 Dec 2009, 21:01 pm
12-10 conv to come, time over.
11 Dec 2009, 21:01 pm
@skopskiet: It does not matter anyway, draw is favouring Kenya.
11 Dec 2009, 21:03 pm
well miracle kick by Stick to put us level. Shocking passing cost us this game. Kenya and Fiji just too robust for us. Doubt we take this tournament we look out on our feet already.
11 Dec 2009, 21:03 pm
12-12
Hat off to Kenya, twice sinbinned and held on.
11 Dec 2009, 22:38 pm
Tawala Kenya Tawala
Tawala Kenya Tawala, Na Sevens Wetu
Tawala Kenya Tawala. Awesome gutsy performance.
11 Dec 2009, 23:25 pm
NZ still well on track for title #2.
11 Dec 2009, 23:43 pm
@TheTackler:
tackler, see you are making a name for yourself on timeslive.
love the thick skin.
some of those bloggers are getting themselves into a frenzy over your straightforward, honest remarks.
8)
12 Dec 2009, 00:19 am
Frenzy, frenzy, everywhere people are getting frenzied…
(Heh heh heh! I wonder why?)
12 Dec 2009, 22:53 pm
Title #2 for NZ … just as I predicted in post #1 of this thread.
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